Jeanne Dugas of Acadia Read Online Free PDF Page A

spring and fall were much the same, some said. Although most of the streets were cobbled, in bad weather they collected debris and became slippery. Snow quickly became slush. In Grand-Pré, winter seemed to be different. The snow stayed clean and white on the farms and even though it was cold the sun shone and the fields sparkled. Acadian houses were snug and warm and well supplied with hearty food. The Dugas and de la Tour children got to know the farm animals and both children and adults enjoyed sleigh rides and walks in the snow. The new year was celebrated at Charles’s home, with his new wife, Anne Leblanc.
    Charles and Anne had married in January of 1739. Charles was over twenty-five and had not needed his mother’s permission to marry. In his own quiet and independent manner, Charles had simply informed his mother and siblings of his marriage on his first trip to Île Royale that spring. He had not brought his bride with him to meet the family but he insisted that both he and Anne wanted them to visit Grand-Pré.
    When she first met them Anne had mentioned that she had been a bit shy at the idea of meeting Monsieur de la Tour. Taking this all in, Jeanne exclaimed, “But he’s only an Acadian like us!” Everyone laughed, including Monsieur de la Tour who had come into the room unnoticed.
    â€”
    Despite the general merriment and good cheer that the families enjoyed in Grand-Pré, the problems of Louisbourg were not left behind. Jeanne had heard the men talk about this around the supper table at rue de l’Étang. But she was surprised to hear the heated political discussion at Charles and Uncle Abraham’s homes in Grand-Pré. She got in the habit of sitting quietly in the same room and listening when the men lingered around the supper table in the evening.
    After a particularly loud and heated argument one evening, her brother Joseph noticed Jeanne listening to them. He walked over and knelt beside her chair.
    â€œJeanne, ma petite, wipe that frown off your face. There is nothing for you to worry about.”
    â€œBut Joseph, you say that we might have to leave Louisbourg. And maybe even leave Grand-Pré. Where would we go? Would we all go together? To the same place? I am afraid.”
    Joseph put his arms around her. “No, Jeanne. No. Whatever happens we will all stay together. I promise. And nothing has happened yet. Probably nothing will. Now, don’t worry. Go and play with the other children. You are too serious.” He smiled at her. “Go on now.”
    She left the room, but could not make herself stop worrying. The next day, she put on her sternest face and asked Joseph to explain the situation to her. “Please just tell me,” she said, stamping her foot. “Otherwise, I am going to worry. I may be only ten years old, or almost, but I am not stupid!”
    â€œNo, my little Jeanne, you are very smart. Get your warm clothes on and come to the barn with me. We can talk while I clean the stalls.”
    â€”
    She sat on a bale of hay, her breath visible in the cold air of the barn, while Joseph worked and talked.
    â€œJeanne, do you learn any history at the convent?”
    â€œNot very much. I don’t think that interests the sisters. I know that France and Britain are enemies. And the sisters seem to think that le bon Dieu is on the side of the French. But I find that hard to understand. The sisters don’t seem to care much what happens to the Acadians or the Mi’kmaq,” she sighed.
    â€œBut I do like to go to school. I like the reading, writing and arithmetic, but the young ladies’ arts don’t seem very important to me. I can sew, but I have real trouble with the embroidery. Mère Saint-Joseph said she would help me next year. I have to embroider a ‘beautiful shawl,’” she said, rolling her eyes.
    Joseph laughed. “Jeanne, you are very lucky to be going to school. It’s not everyone who